With Knicks training camp opening next week, all we have right now is speculation. Until we see who David Fizdale sends to the floor, let's play around with some possible starting lineups he could utilize. At this point in his coaching career, it isn't quite clear what Fizdale is going to prioritize when he puts his lineups together.
There will likely be an open competition for all the starting spots other than power forward and center, where Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson should be secure with their spots. The point guard spot should be Dennis Smith Jr.'s to lose, but there were reports over the summer that Elfrid Payton would be given every opportunity to start.
I'll try not to throw anything too wild out there, but it wouldn't be fun if we weren't a little bold either. The key is to find a group with a balance of youth, experience, shooting, defense and ball-handling ability. There are a lot of choices. Let's get nuts!
The Realistic One
PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
If I had to bet what the Knicks starting lineup on opening night will be, this is it. There probably isn't nearly enough shooting to spread the floor. RJ Barrett defending shooting guards could be problematic. Whether there is enough basketball to go around for Smith, Barrett, Morris and Randle to get all the touches they want is another question. Given an imperfect roster, this might be the best the team can do. There is also a chance Fizdale sticks with this group, except going for youth with Knox possibly instead of Morris.
My Choice
PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Damyean Dotson
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
This lineup gives a decent balance of offense, defense and shooting. Dotson is a plus perimeter defender and adds shooting to the starting lineup without needing the ball. Barrett can start slowly as a tertiary ball-handler. Randle would carry the scoring load, with the Dennis Smith Jr. and Mitchell Robinson pick-and-roll forming the basis of the offense.
My Sleeper
PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Frank Ntilikina
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
If Ntilikina can carry his summer league performance into training camp, his secondary ball-handling, defense and improved shooting can help balance this lineup. Morris can defend, and his shooting will help spread the floor to open up room for the Smith/Robinson pick-and-roll and Randle isolations. It also gives Barrett and Knox a chance to team up with Payton, Dotson and Bobby Portis or Taj Gibson off the bench. Playing against lesser competition to start the year might help Barrett find his footing.
Weird But Possible
PG: Elfrid Payton
SG: Allonzo Trier
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
David Fizdale decides Trier is his best perimeter scorer, so he pairs him with a pass-first favorite of general manager Scott Perry: Elfrid Payton. I see this as an offbeat, but actual possibility given Fizdale's odd choices of seasons past. This lineup would be a huge red flag for me that the season is not going to go well in a lot of different ways.
Play The Picks
PG: Frank Ntilikina
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Kevin Knox
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks decide to play all their premium picks along with their big free-agent addition. This isn't impossible, and the combination would work offensive with Barrett picking up some offensive initiation slack from Ntilikina. Still, the Frenchman and Robinson would have to carry the group defensively.
It's All About The Offense
PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Allonzo Trier
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Kevin Knox
C: Julius Randle
I don't see a scenario where Mitchell Robinson doesn't start, but for a moment let's consider the Knicks best offensive lineup that can truly spread the floor at every position.
Defense Wins Championships
PG: Frank Ntilikina
SG: Damyean Dotson
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Taj Gibson
C: Mitchell Robinson
Here is a long group of defenders with a lot of length and the ability to switch ball screens. They would have trouble scoring, but this could be a legitimate defensive unit.
Age Before Beauty
PG: Elfrid Payton
SG: Wayne Ellington
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
The coach decides the team's veterans should get the most playing time to start the season in the spirit of winning as many games as possible. Even in this scenario, Bobby Portis won't get on the floor in front of Mitchell Robinson. This would be a nightmare level scenario that should scare fans about David Fizdale's competence.
Going Big
PG: RJ Barrett
SG: Kevin Knox
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
This might seem crazy, but remember that last season David Fizdale said he thought Kevin Knox might actually be able to play shooting guard. You have to play big in the Eastern Conference (sarcasm)! Barrett would run the offense, but the defense in the backcourt would be a disaster.
You can follow John on Twitter (@Schmeelk) for everything about the Knicks, Giants and the world of sports. You can find his Knicks podcast, "The Bank Shot," on most podcast platforms. Find it on Apple Podcasts here.
